Lunenburg Oktoberfest a mix of traditions

Chris Norman and Shelley Mann, from the Boxwood Festival Society, at last year's Lunenburg Oktoberfest. This year’s version will be held Saturday.

What Oktoberfest would be complete without cold beer, hot food and Cuban music?

The Boxwood Festival Society is presenting the second version of its Oktoberfest on Saturday from 6-11 p.m. at the Lunenburg Community Centre.

It’s one that aims to celebrate the traditional while embracing diversity.

“It’s not just oompah music,” said Chris Norman, director of the Boxwood Festival, during a phone interview.

“We’ve also got Jeff Goodspeed’s Three O’Cubano group coming, which is going to be fun. At Boxwood we’re all about teaching musical traditions, so having something that’s a bit eclectic seems to fit both Lunenburg’s and Boxwood’s direction.”

Also on the musical menu are Celtic group Papilio, and authentic Oktoberfest music from the Brückewasser Feuerwehr Rhinelanders with Wendell Eisner.

Norman, a musician in his own right, will also be making tuneful contributions here and there.

“I play flute and pipes. I’ll be joining in probably with the groups and just making a few cameo appearances as well.”

Boxwood, a non-profit organization that fosters explorations of Maritime musical traditions through educational programs and performances, is bringing back something that has been missing from the region for a while.

“We’re trying to basically reconstitute what was a longstanding tradition here in Lunenburg of having an Oktoberfest in the fall,” Norman said.

“Of course, Lunenburg has a huge history of German ties and a wonderful German community going back to the 18th century,

but the event fell by the

wayside.”

Tickets to the second version of the event are $25, and they include a Lunenburg Oktoberfest glass and a five-ounce pour. Food and additional drinks may be purchased on site: $10 for brats and sauerkraut, $2 per beer ticket. Details can be found at oktoberfestns.com.

Craft beer connoisseurs will be delighted to hear they are being catered to with options from several of the region’s popular small operations, including Hell Bay Brewing Co. and Saltbox Brewery.

“There’s also, of course, been this explosion of craft brewing in the province,” said Norman.

“It seems like it’s a wonderful combination, to grab hold of that on one hand and to revive this longstanding event and give a great nod to the German heritage of Lunenburg at the same time.”

Norman said Boxwood is

partnering with the South Shore German Association for a celebratory event that’s open to all ages.

“It’s family friendly. It’s not like you have to leave the kids at home. It’s a really nice community event.”

It’s also a happening that’s on a growth spurt, albeit a short one. Norman said last year’s inaugural version ended up packed to the walls, so a move to a larger venue was in order.

“We’re trying to grow it, at

this point. I wouldn’t say we’re flying yet but we’re flapping hard, trying to get it going. It was very encouraging last year, the response we got. We had a great turnout and a great connection with the German community here in town.”

And anybody thinking about taking a pass because their lederhosen might be in the laundry doesn’t have to worry.

“We’ll have some of that, but there’ll also be some great Latin dancing and fantastic music as well, and some Celtic, of course. It should be a good mix.”